Solar PV Analysis of Maitengwe, Botswana
Maitengwe, Botswana is a pretty good place for generating electricity using solar power all year round. This is because it's located in the Tropics where sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year. The seasons here are more about wet and dry periods rather than big temperature changes.
If we look at how much electricity a solar panel can produce per kilowatt installed at this location, we see that it produces 6.41 kWh/day in Summer, 6.63 kWh/day in Autumn, 5.63 kWh/day in Winter and 7.06 kWh/day in Spring. So you can see that even during winter when sunlight might be less direct, the panels still generate quite a lot of energy.
The best times to generate solar energy at this location would be during spring and autumn when production rates are highest due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
For fixed panel installations here, tilting the panels at an angle of 19 degrees North will maximize total yearly production from your solar system.
As for local factors that could affect solar production; since Maitengwe experiences both wet and dry seasons there could potentially be issues with dust accumulation on panels during dry periods or reduced sun exposure during heavy rainfall in wet periods which may decrease efficiency slightly but these aren't significant enough to deter installation as they can easily be managed by regular cleaning of panels and proper installation techniques respectively.
Overall though, Maitengwe offers great conditions for producing renewable energy through solar power systems given its tropical climate with consistent sunlight throughout the year.
Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 7 locations across Botswana. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Botswana by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Maitengwe
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -20.1302, Longitude: 27.2042 (Maitengwe, Botswana), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:
Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 19° North in Maitengwe, Botswana
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Maitengwe, Botswana (Lat/Long -20.1302, 27.2042) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 19° North for fixed panel installations.
As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.
We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.
Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Maitengwe, Botswana
If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Maitengwe, Botswana. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 19° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4° North in Summer | 26° North in Autumn | 36° North in Winter | 14° North in Spring |
Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.
This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.
Calculate solar panel row spacing in Maitengwe, Botswana
We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Maitengwe, Botswana.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - Minimum Spacing:
We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.
This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.
Topography for solar PV around Maitengwe, Botswana
Maitengwe, Botswana is located in the eastern part of the country, near the border with Zimbabwe. The topography of this region is mostly flat and semi-arid, characterized by savannah grasslands and sparse vegetation. This area experiences a subtropical climate with hot temperatures most of the year round.
Given these conditions, large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations would be well-suited for this region. The relatively flat terrain would allow for easier installation and maintenance of solar panels. Moreover, the high levels of sunlight exposure throughout much of the year would maximize energy production from these systems.
However, it's important to note that specific site selection for large-scale solar PV projects should also consider other factors such as proximity to existing power grids or infrastructure for energy storage and transmission, land ownership rights and potential environmental impacts among others.
In terms of nearby areas suited to large scale solar PV installations - vast open areas without dense vegetation or built structures will be ideal. These could include farmlands or grazing lands that are not currently in use- provided they meet all other necessary criteria like accessibility, proximity to grid connection etc.
A detailed feasibility study including technical analysis (like Solar irradiance studies), socio-economic impact assessment & environmental impact assessment needs to be conducted before finalizing any location for setting up a large-scale Solar PV plant.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 14th of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential
The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.
However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.
Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site
Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.
